Lilac Time at Saint Elias

A little late in the season for lilacs but...

This is the beautiful Saint Elias Russo Greek Orthodox Church near Pakan, Alberta.

Click the following link to view a brief history of Saint Elias: "Щасливого Різдва!"

The photos seen here were taken the spring following the return of the historical bell house to the churchyard.  The old bell house had been tucked away in a museum near Shandro for some sixty years and it was time to bring it back home.

Over the years a Prayer Garden has been established in a grove of trees on the south side of the churchyard.  

A large memorial rock is surrounded by flowers and hand-decorated stones that have been contributed by parishioners.  Along a winding path through the trees are several sitting areas, each enhanced by the addition of flowering plants and shrubs together with an icon.

A view of the cemetery and church from the Prayer Garden.

And, of course, lilacs in full bloom.

Saint Elias is definitely "a beautiful place out in the country."

Photographed on June 27, 2022.

Long Shot - Holy Ascension at Maryville

A long shot of Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Maryville, Saskatchewan...one of my favourite places to visit and revisit.

The photo shows the approach from the east and reveals a distinct perspective...the creek bordered by shrubs in fall colour with the church rising above it all in the hazy distance.  Quite a beautiful sight in my eyes.

Photographed on September 24, 2023.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Get stuffed...have a nap...go back for more.

Photographed near Tolstoi, Manitoba on September 19, 2023.

After the Frost

Reached a frosty -5°C early Friday morning but by mid-afternoon it was +18°C and I was out tending to some fall pruning.  (What I get done in the fall I don't need to do the following spring.)  And of course, there are leaves everywhere.

So far, fall looks pretty nice.

Not a hint of damage to the Autumn Joy sedums.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on October 6, 2023.

Wee'l Turtle

The Wee'l Turtle was created in 1982 by George Gottbreht and Curt Halvorson and consists of over two thousand tire rims collected over a sixteen year period.

It is arguably the world's largest man-made turtle structure at forty feet long and eighteen feet high.

The one-ton head is mounted on a pivot so, if you've been eating your Wheaties, you'll be able to bob it up and down. 

Why a turtle? The sculpture is in honour of the Turtle Mountains which lie just a few miles northward.  

One can see the Wee'l Turtle next door to Dale's Diner in Dunseith, North Dakota.

Information courtesy of the World Record Academy.

Photographed on September 16, 2023.

Saint Andrew's near Swan Plain

On my way north from Swan Plain I came across this weathered old church.

The pathway to the front doors is still mowed as are the grounds and cemetery.

One couldn't have asked for a better setting than this...green grass accompanied by fall colours.

An unusual feature of this United Church is the Orthodox cross that tops the steeple.   

The sign above the front doors is decorated with a crucifix along with two six-point stars.

The small cemetery beside the church has only two marked graves.  It is believed there are at least three other unmarked graves here. 

Photographed near Swan Plain, Saskatchewan on September 24, 2023.

Sperling Vegetable Company

It's punkin season!

The truck is a circa 1940 International Harvester...a few dents but the fresh green and white paint job makes up for that tiny foible.

Buy punkins to carve into ghouls to scare the children, decorate your balcony and make pumpkin pie (with fresh whipped cream of course)...definitely an all purpose vegetable.  Fun and delicious!

Photographed in Sperling, Manitoba on September 19, 2023.

On the Road

Have been on the road for the past couple of weeks and the fall colours get better every day.  This brilliant display was on the highway just north of Roblin, Manitoba a little earlier today.

Photographed on September 24, 2023.

Casabella Fresh Produce

Handsome old Chevy truck.  

Love the wooden box and yellow wheels.

Photographed near Dunnottar, Manitoba on September 22, 2023.

A Beautiful Place out in the Country

A picture perfect little schoolhouse in a picture perfect countryside.

Quarve School #3 was photographed in Benson County, North Dakota on September 16, 2023.